Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 29 min3:59 am – 10:29 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 12 min9:04 am – 3:16 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,216 residentsin the West Mainland census areaMedian age 52.01,919 households79% of homes owner-occupied54% owned outright11% social rented, 7% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.7% unemployment rate63% of adults are economically active, 2,231 in work, 28% retiredMain industries: health and social work 14%, farming, forestry and fishing 10%, construction 10%Getting to work: 29% work from home, 63% go by car, 2% take public transport, 3% walk or cycle32% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages34% of adults hold a degree or higher17% have no qualifications, 10% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 16°C, lows 10°CColdest month January: highs 6°C, lows 2°C1,158 mm of rain a year, 34 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November27 days of air frost, no summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Earthquakes4 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 9 Feb 197345 mi away, Fair IsleMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202140 mi away, Melvich, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.1 · PM2.5 3.3 · PM10 5.2 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband34% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband79% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)1.9% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,176 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation63 m207 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 12 to 127 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalDunbar Hospital29 miGP surgerySkerryvore Practice5.7 miPharmacyOrcades Practice5.7 miDentistThe Balfour5.7 miPolice stationKirkwall Police Station6.0 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryOrphir Community Schoolunder a mileSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportKirkwall Airport KOI7.6 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ125 miRailway stationThurso29 miBus stationTravel CentreKirkwall6.1 miFerryHouton Orkney Ferry Terminal3.1 miBus stops8 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports; Overture Maps
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW16 postcode district.
